Farm Fresh News - March 2018
- Balancing the Heart
- Meet me in Atlanta, GA March 16 & 17 and Asheville, NC March 23-25!
- Meet The Farm'sNewest Resident
- Farm School Streaming Concert
Dear friends,
When we look within, and in tune in to our true selves, we realize that the heart and the mind are not two separate aspects of our being, but are one, the heart-mind, something Buddhist and other cultures have understood for hundreds if not thousands of years.
Decisions analyzed only through the rational mind leave out half of the equation, the part which embodies the elements of compassion and love, the aspect of ourselves which guides our spirit and establishes our true sense of direction.
If we are to move forward through life in such a way that we feel whole and fulfilled, our choices must come from the heart-mind. But it is not heart over mind, but a balance of the two, that makes us feel complete.
I overheard a conversation about this, that is, I read the conversation of a dear friend in a Facebook post, as he spoke about the heart-mind connection to a circle of his friends, one I'm not part of, and to people I do not know.
I felt compelled to share with him one of the hard lessons I have learned, that even the heart can be out of balance. When we make decisions in life, choices that come only from the heart, and do not take in all aspects of the bigger picture, we leave ourselves open to mistakes and unexpected consequences.
In our modern culture, we refer to this type of person as an enabler, sometimes deriding them as a "bleeding heart.” The bleeding heart is used to describe someone who does harm to themselves as they endeavor to help someone else, a condition that is not sustainable.
If we are paying attention, and understand that everything we do is an energy exchange, we are able to see and feel a heart decision that is out of balance.
A gift from the heart does not take place because we expect a reward or something in return. Nevertheless, we can feel the energy when a gift is accepted with gratitude and appreciation... or not. A simple thank you does not have to be expressed in words, but we know if it is there. When our gift is not valued, or squandered, we feel a loss of energy. In the words of our modern culture, we would describe this as “feeling used.” When this out of balance energy exchange is repeated over and over, we begin to feel abused, and it is a natural response to pull back.
But if we are to err, let it be on the side of the heart... for even a bleeding heart can heal. Make your choices based on kindness, generosity, and abundance! "As ye sow, so shall ye reap," and "What goes around comes around," are not merely simple sayings, but clear instructions on how the universe operates. It strives to stay in balance, which may not be clear immediately, but is visible as the person you become, are, and will be, from the heart.
Peace,
Douglas
Douglas
 Join me for singing and dancing in Atlanta and Asheville! |
On the Road: Come sing with me!
I will be in Atlanta, Friday, March 16, leading Kirtan chanting, 7:30 pm at:
The Heron House Sacred Earth Sanctuary 102 Russell Rd, Mountain Park, Georgia 30075 and playing guitar and singing at the same location on Saturday, for a Dances of Universal Peace Sesshin, which alternates dances and meditation, from 1:30 to 5 pm. We'll break for a potluck supper and then resume dancing for two more hours. Free, but donations and love offerings are appreciated. I will be in Asheville the following weekend, March 23-25, for another Dances of Universal Peace event, Dancing in the Dharma, with Tansen O'Donahoe, at 5 Ravenscroft Dr, Asheville, NC 28801 Contact Tarana Wesley to register or come to the dance on Friday evening that is open to the public! |
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Meet our newest resident on The Farm!
 Left, Aloha, The Farm's newest resident, helps me plant lettuce and broccoli, while I teach her the ins and outs of growing your own food. |
Allow me to introduce you to Aloha, The Farm's newest resident. Aloha first came to The Farm 10 years ago to take a Midwifery Assistant workshop.
She then went back to her home in Florida, where she worked as a nurse and a Doula or labor coach. But the idea of moving to The Farm stayed on her mind.
One year ago in March, she returned and was a participant in my Farm Experience Weekend, to find out if moving to the community was a possibility.
After a couple more visits and going through the steps with the Membership Committee, Aloha moved to the Farm in January 2018, where she rents a small cabin for one of the midwives she met during her first visit.
She has found employment at a small, local hospital, working in labor and delivery, the nursery. postpartum care and as a breastfeeding consultant.
Curious what it takes to live in community or at The Farm? Come to Conference on Community and Sustainability, May 18-20, 2018. |
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March 31 Sean Rowe Live at Integrity House
Sean Rowe Live at the Integrity House on The Farm to help raise funds for the School's Scholarship Fund.
Tickets are going fast! Reserve your seat for the live show with a $20 donation using the form at the bottom of the page of the link below!
https:// or... We will be live streaming the concert also. The link to the live stream will be added to our support page where you can also make a donation to the school. Find Sean’s recordings and story at: http://www.seanrowe.net/ |
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May 4-6, 2018 Join us for Awakening Heart: Dances of Universal Peace
The first Dances of Universal Peace Weekend at The Farm Community
The first Dances of Universal Peace Weekend at The Farm Community
One of the refreshing things I am finding in the dances is the primary intention,
to connect with essence of the here and now, beyond the concepts, teachings, or opinions.
to connect with essence of the here and now, beyond the concepts, teachings, or opinions.
To gain a better idea of the dance experience, check out these YouTube videos.
Visit the web site to learn more. https://www.dancesofuniversalpeace.org/
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Update: I have just learned that there will be a big wedding happening the same weekend as the conference, and we are invited to the reception! This means that many of the B&B accommodations will likely fill up with friends and relatives coming in for the wedding. Make your reservations EARLY!
Set your course for the future, Life In Community! Click here to learn more... Register Now!
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You really can grow most of the food your family needs.
With this 4 day intensive, we’ll garden every morning and you’ll get the hands-on experience and gain the confidence to get started on your own. We’ll visit other Permaculture homesteads and gardens, including Amish country.
There will be a special focus on beekeeping.
Everyone will get to put on a bee suit and take a look inside the hives. Saturday afternoon we will harvest honey, spinning the frames in an extractor.
Everyone will get to put on a bee suit and take a look inside the hives. Saturday afternoon we will harvest honey, spinning the frames in an extractor.
October 19-21, 2018 Farm Experience Weekend Fall Colors and a Fire Circle: Always a jam packed weekend. A time of reflection and introspection.
A big thanks to everyone who has become a patron of Farm Fresh!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
When you become a subscriber, your contribution helps spread the word about community based alternatives.
Take this one small step to be part of the solution!
You can help keep Farm Fresh going by pledging $2, $5, or $10 a month, or by making a one time contribution.
Click here to take the survey. I look forward to hearing from you.
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
I hope you'll make the effort to take a firsthand look at The Farm during one of my GreenLife Retreat Weekends, and that it will inspire you to pursue your dreams and find your chosen path!
Speaking Engagements
At the same time, I recognize that I can reach a lot more people if I go outside the community. One of my goals is to speak at colleges and universities where I can talk to young people about Right Livelihood, Service, and Finding Sanity in an Insane World. This is a time when people need to hear an uplifting message of hope.
If you are part of an organization, event, or school (or you just want to learn more about my life's work), I invite you to visit my web site www.douglasstevenson.com, where you'll find information on my lecture topics and how to bring me to speak in your area.
Douglas
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An Incredible Book!
Following 7 years of research, Farm Community member Thomas Hupp uncovers the subtle forces that presently affect Politics, Economics and Your Health.
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Midwifery Workshops: www.midwiferyworkshops.org/
Swan Trust Activities & Hikes Contact: foreverwild@swantrust.org
Permaculture Apprenticeships: Learn straw, cob, earthbag, turf roofs, bamboo, thatch, clay plaster, adobe, alis, and food self-reliance at The Farm Community.
Spiral Ridge Permaculture - Workshops and Classes at a Permaculture Homestead down the road
www.awakeningbirth.org - the Web Site
www.awakening birth.net - The Podcast
Our birth resource web site for families seeking guidance on subjects such as
- Choosing a Care Provider.
- Health and Diet
- Challenges and Complications
- and much more!
- The Awakening Birth podcast is now available on iTunes or at www.awakeningbirth.net
Please spread the word to anyone in your circle who is thinking of having a baby, expecting, your favorite midwife, or care provider. Please like us and give us a good review on iTunes. It helps!
GreenLife Retreats
A division of Village Media Services
PO Box 259Summertown, TN 38483
931-964-2590 - office / cell
Douglas@villagemedia.com
www.villagemedia.com
www.greenliferetreats.com
www.douglasstevenson.com
Douglas@thefarmcommunity.com
